The state of Missouri is providing $2.3 million to help build special rooms at five Joplin schools designed to withstand severe weather.
Gov. Jay Nixon announced the funding Monday in a visit to Joplin, where recovery continues from the tornado that destroyed thousands of buildings and killed 161 people last May 22.
The safe rooms are expected to cost slightly more than $26 million. The federal government will pay nearly $20 million of the total. Local governments will contribute $4.2 million.
The rooms are to be built at the new Joplin High School, East Middle School and the Cecil Floyd, Emerson and New Irving elementary schools.
Missouri is also providing about $500,000 toward demolition of 90 properties in the area where the new high school will be built.
